The head of Foreign Relations for the Hamas Political Bureau has said that Europe is beginning to realise that ignoring the Islamic Resistance Movement is a mistake. According to Osama Hamdan, the French Foreign Minister's recent statement that his country is ready to talk with Hamas is "a correction of the errors committed by European countries against Hamas". He also pointed out that some EU countries already have contacts with the movement.
In an interview with "Palestine" newspaper, Mr. Hamdan called on Europe to take practical steps to reach out to Hamas which is, he claims, "The most prominent political force in the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and a political group whose influence, role and position is well known".
Earlier, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, expressed his country's willingness to talk with Hamas "if the Palestinian Authority requested that", stressing that there will not be a peace agreement without Hamas at the table. Mr. Kouchner's statement is, according to Osama Hamdan, an indication that the French are more daring than others in the open expression of such views. He also pointed out that similar comments have been made by many journalists, academics and think-tanks in France, proving his movement's status in the country.